Page 112 of In Prey We Trust

They stay out of camera range, so we haven’t identified them by Fitz’s tapping into the Sibbies’ facial rec system, but Felix says they look like mercenaries based on their build and demeanor. None of us have run into one yet, but that’s probably a good thing. The last thing I need is for them to figure out who I am and focus on sucking up to Lucille by shadowing me.

One stalker is all I consent to, thank you very much.

“You seem pensive, Dolly. What is going through your head?” Raina says as we walk towards the tunnel.

I just finished Acting and of course, the Plastics bemoaned that people won’t be allowed on campus for the performance this weekend. Cori, Rufus, and I have done great work on the sets and such, so I’m disappointed my improvement in those areas won’t be seen by many people, but I also don’t want another fucking body dropping like the Phantom’s chandelier, either. The guys can take some pictures and maybe this awful choice of productions can be filed as ‘thank fuck this got little attention.’ She’s right, though. I am pensive, though not because of the play.

“There are so many things going on at once. I keep worrying that even with all our notes and plans, we’re missing something big. I hate that feeling, especially since my mother has been quiet and Rockland is pushing me enough that I might have to let Farley know it’s time to send round two.” I swipe my card, frowning as I shrug. “Plus, now we’re locked in here like fish in a barrel. Keeping us in one place probably won’t stop the people who can appear in places without using traditional doors.”

Raina nods, then gives me a hesitant expression. “You asked me once how the prey species view the Treaty and what differs in how we’re taught history at home. We never got back to it. Would you like me to tell you now?”

I blink. “Holy shit, yes! It could rattle something loose. Tell me, Raina.”

“The treaty was centuries ago, but it was the start of the new age for everyone but the predators, Dolly. Humans have their views on how the world changed because they think it was their war, but it wasn’t. You probably realize that much of their history has been glossed over but directly relates to supernatural history.”

“Well, yeah. A shifter having to hide rather than heal caused their World War. But that was seven hundred years after the Treaty.” I wrinkle my nose, trying to remember. “So the Treaty corresponds with what they call the Hundred Years War?”

“Exactly. It was not simply the English versus the French, as they thought. It was shifters versus magic wielders.” She pauses for a moment and dips her head. “The stories are passed down through the years, but a lot of prey died because they were conscripted to fight with the preds. When the sorcerers were defeated, the Treaty forced them into the shadows if they stayed on this side of the Veil. Many took refuge in the Faerie with the Fae because their lands have magic whereas here it was forbidden.”

I ponder that as we cross the green to head to the Scholastic building. “I guess things were bad long before the war broke out, right? Probably a lot of conflicts on both sides and it amped up.”

“The stories we’re taught say so.” Raina pauses for a second then says softly, “They also say the prey animals were promised equal positions of power and after the pred banished magic, they reneged on their promises. So… it’s likely many old prey families regret their ancestors' decisions, especially mythicals. Magic users would find many allies in our community if they were looking.”

She’s trying to tell me our hooded friends probably built an entire rebellion over the years and their plans aren’t new.

“I don’t blame them. Hell, even the preds are living in a caste system now. It makes sense they’d find allies among the weaker preds and prey alike,” I say as we approach the building. “Have you and the crew found out where the tunnels are here? I have a feeling that’s what we’ll need to investigate to find new pieces of this puzzle.”

“Not yet, but I have Holliday and Percy on it. People ignore Holli because he’s deaf, not even considering that he reads lips. It’s rude, but he says he’s used to it. But in the case of doing surreptitious sleuthing, it’s very useful.” The raccoon beams at me and adds, “He believes he has a lead on the longest working prey who might be susceptible to coaxing after a few drinks.”

Nodding, I open the door for her, and we head inside. “I hate they treat him that way, but I also see how it would be advantageous. I appreciate you poking around for us, though. I know it wouldn’t be well received if any of us went tromping in to ask.”

“Always, Dolly. You and your family are the kindest preds any of us have ever known.” She tilts her head as we get in the elevator, her eyes serious. “You look less worried than before, but still heavy. Is something else bothering you?”

“Besides the kidnappers, murderers, my sociopath mother, and evil girls trailing me?” We both chuckle and I shrug. “This class is one of my least favorites. Rakoto and Blitzen are jerks for no reason. At least I can identify that los Feliz simply wants to kiss the Plastics’ asses. These two hate me because I’m breathing and it makes it hard not to feel resigned when I have to go.”

“That makes sense. But their bias is their problem, not yours. Prey learn that from a very young age and we have to arm ourselves with the knowledge that despite what preds say or do, their hang-ups do not change who we are. It’s an unfortunate adaptation, but they did not teach you how to reject the opinions of others because you grew up in the powerful majority.”

Oh, man. I know she didn’t mean it that way, but now I feel like a whiny baby.

“You’re right, Raina. I’ve had to let go of what my family and all the hateful people gathered by my ex-friends think. I need to throw out the opinions of these chuckleheads, too. It doesn’t matter if they’re professors; I don’t exist for their approval.”

She smiles as we get to my classroom, holding out a tiny fist to bump. “Exactly. You have many who love you for you and those who don’t like you should raise their standards.”

“Truth,” I reply as I open the door. “See you in a couple of hours, Raina. And thank you.”

“Anytime, Dolly. You’re my friend.”

By the time class is over, I’m thoroughly wiped. Rakoto was in top form, picking me to grill on every other question. Interestingly, we seem to skip a section of the text and heading into the very Treaty Raina and I were discussing this morning. Someone asked why we were moving to the middle ages and she barked at the poor alligator like he was a dog that piddled on the rug. We didn’t get an answer, but she assigned a fifteen page paper on the Treaty and its effects on pred society due right after Thanksgiving.

The worst part is that I’m not sure if that was a punishment or something she was told to do.

“How was class?” Raina is waiting for me just outside of the room and I head over quickly so no one hassles her. There are too many of my obsessed chicks around for me to leave her alone.

“It was weird, Raina. We skipped a bunch of stuff and started talking about the damn magic treaty out of nowhere!” I walk towards the staircase with her, not wanting to be where others might overhear. “Talk about making me paranoid; we were just talking about it and then my entire class is about it. And I have to write a huge paper about how it affected society and international diplomacy, which I have a feeling will need to be slanted just so in order to get a good grade.”

“That is very troubling,” she says softly. “The stories our elders passed down talked about a period before the Treaty where things shifted. Preds and prey were told lots of bad things about magic users—my Nonna has old school books that have been in our family for many generations. You should ask Monsieur Renard and Master Aubrey to accompany you to the prey exhibits in the Smithsonian. Look at the texts from before and after the Treaty, then…”

“Then what, Raina?” I frown as she stops me, scooting close and gesturing for me to lean down.

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